My Public

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Sheer Terror

By a special guest correspondent, Aunt Jackie.

Jackie here. The traffic in Saigon is
chaotic and insane. There are no actual traffic laws, so everyone
does their own thing. Traffic lights are few and far between, and they
are mostly ignored anyway. Vehicles are overwhelmingly motor scooters,
motorcycles, and bicycles. There are some cars, buses, minivans and
SUVs thrown into the mix.

The noise is at top level from the engines
and the constant horn beeping. I think I have figured out the horn
code. It can mean: watch out, I'm coming, get out of the way, leave me
alone, or I am here, don't hit/squash me.

Crossing the street is
a great adventure, and a test of your fear factor. There is no such
thing as a break in the traffic. You must guage the volume of the
traffic. When there is a change in volume, you must go for it. Keeping
a steady speed is important. No running or hesitation when crossing.
Those on or in the vehicles will judge your rate, and they will go
around you. It works !!

Comments

Sheer Terror

By a special guest correspondent, Aunt Jackie.

Jackie here. The traffic in Saigon is
chaotic and insane. There are no actual traffic laws, so everyone
does their own thing. Traffic lights are few and far between, and they
are mostly ignored anyway. Vehicles are overwhelmingly motor scooters,
motorcycles, and bicycles. There are some cars, buses, minivans and
SUVs thrown into the mix.

The noise is at top level from the engines
and the constant horn beeping. I think I have figured out the horn
code. It can mean: watch out, I'm coming, get out of the way, leave me
alone, or I am here, don't hit/squash me.

Crossing the street is
a great adventure, and a test of your fear factor. There is no such
thing as a break in the traffic. You must guage the volume of the
traffic. When there is a change in volume, you must go for it. Keeping
a steady speed is important. No running or hesitation when crossing.
Those on or in the vehicles will judge your rate, and they will go
around you. It works !!